Working conditions and rates
Dancers' Alliance has worked hard to establish the official Dancers' Alliance Rates. These are the rates that we can, and should demand from Music Videos, Live Shows, and Industrial work. The document below provides all of these rates and other VERY IMPORTANT information. Feel free to print it and use it as a guide for all of your professional needs.
With the increase in reality/documentary styled filming, please be aware:
*BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTAGE, OR ANY FILMING/TAPING MUST BE CLEARED AND NEGOTIATED IN ADVANCE OF CAMERAS ROLLING TAPE OR FILM*
AUDITIONS:
FOR THE PURPOSES OF AUDITIONING FOR CURRENT OR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT THE FOLLOWING SHALL APPLY:*STANDARD FLOORS*FLOORS MUST BE RESILIENT, FLEXIBLE AND LEVEL. SURFACES MUST BE CLEAN AND FREE OF SOLUTION. CONCRETE, SAND, STONE, ROCK, CARPET, MARLEY AND VISQUEEN ARE NOT APPROPRIATE SURFACES.
REHEARSALS:
FOR THE PURPOSES OF REHEARSAL, THE FOLLOWING SHOULD APPLY
*WARM-UP SPACES*:ADEQUATE SPACE SHALL BE PROVIDED TO PERMIT DANCERS TO WARM-UP 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO DANCING. IF NOT PROVIDED, SUCH TIME SHALL BE PROVIDED AT THE TIME OF SPACE AVAILABILITY.
*STANDARD FLOORS*:FLOORS MUST BE RESILIENT, FLEXIBLE, AND LEVEL. SURFACES MUST BE CLEAN AND FREE OF SOLUTION. CONCRETE, SAND, STONE, ROCK, CARPETS, MARLEY AND VISQUEEN ARE NOT APPROPRIATE SURFACES.
*FITTINGS AND WARDROBE*:
FITTINGS SCHEDULED OUTSIDE OF REHEARSAL DAY PAID AT A RATE OF $50/HOUR. FITTINGS ON REHEARSAL DAYS APPLY AS TIME WORKED. PERFORMERS REQUESTED TO SUPPLY THEIR OWN COSTUMES SHALL BE COMPENSATED AT $25.00 PER OUTFIT AND $15.00 PER PAIR OF SHOES.IF WARDROBE ASKS YOU TO BRING 'OPTIONS' BUT THEY STILL DECIDE TO DRESS YOU IN THEIR CLOTHING, YOU MAY WEAR YOUR OWN CLOTHES BUT YOU WILL NOT BE COMPENSATED BECAUSE IT WAS YOUR OWN CHOICE TO WEAR YOUR OWN
MEALS:
DANCERS SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH MEALS EQUAL TO PRINCIPAL PERFORMERS AND/OR CREW. MEAL BREAKS TO BE GIVEN AFTER EACH SIX (6) HOURS OF WORK.MEALS TO BE PROVIDED OR CATERED ON SHOOT DAY. (OPTIONAL IF LOCATION IS ON STUDIO LOT)
SHOOT:
IN THE EVENT THAT A REHEARSAL IS SCHEDULED ON A SHOOT DAY, WITH NO PRIOR REHEARSAL, THE PAYMENT FOR THAT SHOOT DAY SHALL BE 150% OF CONTRACTED SHOOT DAY FEE. OVERTIME RATE APPLIES AS ABOVE.
TURNAROUND:
THERE WILL BE A TWELVE (12) HOUR TURNAROUND FROM THE TIME PERFORMER IS RELEASED FROM THE SET. IF PERFORMER REQUIRES MAKE-UP OR WARDROBE REMOVAL BEYOND THAT OF DAILY STREETWEAR, PERFORMER SHALL BE GIVEN FIFTEEN (15) MINUTES BEFORE RELEASE TIME. THIS TIME SHALL NOT AFFECT PERFORMER'S TURNAROUND TIME. SHOULD CALL OCCUR IN LESS THAN TWELVE (12) HOURS FROM THE PREVIOUS WRAP TIME, PERFORMER SHALL RECEIVE DOUBLE TIME FOR EACH HOUR WORKED PRIOR TO THE TWELVE (12) HOUR PERIOD.
DRESSING ROOMS:
ON ALL SHOOT SETS, PROPER DRESSING ROOMS (CLIMATE CONTROLLED, SEPARATE SEXES) MUST BE PROVIDED.
TALENT RELEASES:
ALL TALENT RELEASES MUST BE APPROVED BY AGENCY PRIOR TO FIRST DAY OF EMPLOYMENT. PERFORMER MUST HAVE AMPLE TIME TO PERUSE RELEASE FORM AND SIGN PRIOR TO SHOOTING. IF NEEDED, PRODUCTION MUST BE WILLING TO FAX OVER SUCH RELEASE FORM TO PERFORMER'S AGENT PRIOR TO SIGNING.
ADDITIONAL FEES:
AN ADDITIONAL FEE WILL BE NEGOTIATED IF VIDEO (OR PORTIONS OF VIDEO) THAT EMBODIES PERFORMER'S LIKENESS IS USED FOR CD ROM, COMMERCIAL, TELEVISION, FILM, DVD OR CONCERT TOUR USAGE. ANCILLARY USAGE/BUYOUT FEES:BUYOUTS ARE CALCULATED BASED ON THE TOTAL BUDGET OF THE VIDEO. BUYOUT FEES INCLUDE ALL ANCILLARY USAGE FOR MUSIC VIDEOS INCLUDING HOME VIDEO, CD ROM, DOCUMENTARY, "MAKING OF" SPECIALS, DVDS, FILM TRAILERS OR CONCERT TOUR USAGE. USAGES EXCLUDED FROM THIS FEE ARE PRODUCT-RELATED COMMERCIAL USAGE, USAGE THAT FALLS UNDER UNION JURISDICTION (SUCH AS THE USE OF MUSIC VIDEO WITHIN A FEATURE FILM, NON-PROMOTIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAM, ETC.) PRINT USAGE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO COVER ART) AND "LIFTS" INTO OTHER TITLED MUSIC VIDEOS. THIS ALSO INCLUDES ANY MEDIUM NOW KNOWN OR CREATED IN THE FUTURE.
*PLEASE BE AWARE THAT BUYOUTS DO NOT HAPPEN ALL OF THE TIME, AND WHEN WE GET BUY OUTS THE RATES MAY VARY.*
MUSIC VIDEO MINIMUMS
NOTE: AGENCY FEES (20%) APPLY ON TOP OF ALL MINIMUMS
REHEARSALS:
EIGHT (8) HOUR DAY (FULL DAY) $250.00
• ONE HOUR MEAL BREAK REQUIRED (Meals must be scheduled no more than 6 hours from call-time or last meal)
• OVERTIME BEYOND 8 HOURS AT TIME AND 1/2 or $46.88/Hr (Excluding Meal Time)
• IF REHEARSAL EXCEEDS 12 HOURS, DOUBLE TIME WILL APPLY AND A SECOND MEAL BREAK MAY BE REQUIRED
FOUR (4) HOUR DAY (HALF DAY) $175.00
• OVERTIME BEYOND 4 HOURS AT 1.5 or $ 65.63/Hr
• IF REHEARSAL EXCEEDS 12 HOURS, DOUBLE TIME
WILL APPLY AND A SECOND MEAL BREAK MAY BE
REQUIRED
SHOOT DAY:
*TEN (10) HOUR DAY $475.00*
*TWELVE (12) HOUR DAY $550.00*
• ONE HOUR MEAL BREAK TO BE PROVIDED
(No more than 6 hours from call-time)
• IF WORK EXTENDS BEYOND 12 HOURS, A SECOND MEAL OF
ONE HALF HOUR MUST BE GIVEN
(No more than 6 hours from the end of the first meal)
Note: If work extends beyond 18 hours, a third meal break
would be required
• OVERTIME 10-12 HOURS (1.5 of RATE) $71.25/Hr
• OVERTIME 13-20 HOURS (2x of RATE) $95.00/Hr
• OVER 20 HOURS (And less than 24) – Additional Day Rate ($475.00) Due
No work may extend beyond 24 hours consecutively
MEALS:
ON SHOOT DAYS, MEALS TO BE PROVIDED OR CATERED
EQUAL TO THAT OF ALL OTHER CREW. WRITE DOWN YOUR MEAL TIMES. IF YOU ARE NOT FED WITHIN SIX (6) HOURS OF YOUR CALL TIME, and EVERY SIX (6) HOURS SUBSEQUENTLY, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO "MEAL PENALTY" COMPENSATION.
*MEAL PENALTIES*
•1st violation: $8.00/first half hour if meal is not provided within 6 hours of call time or catered breakfast
•For each additional half hour that such meal is delayed, an additional $5.00 will be due to performer
•2nd violation: $12.00/ first half hour if 2nd meal is not provided within 6 hours of the first meal
•For each additional half hour that such meal is delayed, an additional $5.00 will be due to performer
FITTINGS:
FITTINGS OUTSIDE OF REHEARSAL DAY $ 50.00/Hr
WHEN DANCERS ARE ASKED TO PROVIDE THEIR
OWN WARDROBE, THE FOLLOWING FEES APPLY:
• OUTFIT OR MORE THAN ONE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING $ 25.00
• SHOES (PER PAIR) $ 15.00
ADDITIONAL FEES:
AN ADDITIONAL FEE WILL BE NEGOTIATED IF VIDEO (OR PORTIONS OF VIDEO) THAT EMBODIES DANCER IS USED FOR CD ROM, COMMERCIAL, TV, FILM, DVD, CONCERT TOUR USAGE, OR ANY MEDIUM CREATED IN THE FUTURE PRODUCT RELATED COMMERCIAL USAGE MUST BE PRE-APPROVED BY THE PERFORMER AND/OR HIS/HER AGENT (TO AVOID PRODUCT CONFLICT OR UNION-RELATED ISSUES)
HAZARD PAY:
ACTIVITY DEEMED AS HAZARDOUS ACCORDING
TO CURRENT UNION STANDARDS (Further info can be provided) $75.00/Day
CANCELLATION FEE:
ONCE A DANCER IS VERBALLY BOOKED, IF DATES ARE
CANCELLED OR CHANGE, RATES ARE TO BE NEGOTIATED
BUYOUTS:
BUYOUTS ARE CALCULATED AND NEGOTIATED ON A PER PROJECT BASIS. THESE RATES ARE BASED ON, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE OVERALL BUDGET AND USAGE OF THE VIDEO FOOTAGE. BUYOUT FEES INCLUDE ALL ANCILLARY USAGE FOR MUSIC VIDEOS INCLUDING HOME FIDEO, DVD, CD ROM, DOCUMENTARY, “MAKING OF” SPECIALS, FILM TRAILORS, INTERNET, OR CONCERT TOUR USAGE. USAGE EXCLUDED FROM THIS FEE ARE PRODUCT-RELATED COMMERCIAL USAGE, (OUTSIDE THE RECORD OR VIDEO), USAGE THAT FALLS UNDER UNION JURISDICTION, PRINT USAGE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COVER ART) AND “LIFTS” INTO OTHER TITLED MUSIC VIDEOS.
LIVE SHOWS AND INDUSTRIALS
(AGENCY FEES APPLY ON TOP OF THESE RATES)
REHEARSALS:
*FULL DAY REHEARSAL (8 HOURS) $250/DAY*
(ANYTHING OVER 8 HRS = TIME AND A HALF)
*HALF DAY REHEARSAL (4 HOURS) $175/DAY*
(ANYTHING OVER 4 HOURS = TIME AND A HALF)
TRAVEL:
•$150.00/ DAY
-
•FIRST CLASS HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
-
•GROUND TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED WHILE OUT OF TOWN
•ROUND TRIP AIRFARE ( IF TRAVELING BY PLANE)
•PER DIEM ($35.00 PER DAY. TO BE PAID ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE JOB)
SHOW:
$500/SHOW
RATE FOR ADDITIONAL SAME-DAY SHOWS IS NEGOTIABLE
•ALSO NOTE, IF SHOW IS ON A TRAVEL DAY, BOTH FEES APPLY
***AUDITIONS, REHEARSALS AND HAZARD PAY FOR LIVE SHOWS MUST
ADHERE TO THE RULES LISTED UNDER MUSIC VIDEO STANDARD
WORKING CONDITIONS***
WHAT CONSTITUTES HAZARD PAY?
THE FOLLOWING SHALL BE DEEMED HAZARDOUS:
*IN ALL INSTANCES DANCING ON CONCRETE SHALL BE DEEMED HAZARDOUS *DANCING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES, DANCING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, OUT-OF-SEASON CLOTHING OR IN COSTUMING WHICH BY VIRTUE OF ITS FIT OR NATURE MAY SUBJECT THE DANCER TO PHYSICAL INJURY OR HEALTH HAZARD *IF CHOREOGRAPHY INCLUDES LIFTS, THROWS, CATCHES, FALLS, ETC., DANCERS SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM "FULL OUT" (PERFORMANCE LEVEL) IN REHEARSAL MORE THAN THREE TIMES PER HOUR OR MORE THAN FIVE TIMES IN EACH TWO HOUR PERIOD *WHEN A DANCER IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM COMPLEX AERIAL ACROBATICS, WIRE FLYING, OR KNEE WORK (DANCING, SLIDING, OR DOING A ROUTINE ON THE KNEES) WITHOUT PADS; SUPPORT MORE THAN ONE OTHER PERSON IN ANY MANNER WHICH AFFECTS SAFE PERFORMANCE OF THE DANCE ROUTINE; DANCE UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE SAFE PERFORMANCE OF THE ROUTINE IS AFFECTED BECAUSE SIGHT OR BREATHING IS IMPAIRED (USE OF MASK OR PRESENCE OF FOG, SMOKE, OR FIRE, ETC)*aerial work, parkour, free running, tricking, head spins *WHEN A DANCER IS REQUIRED TO JUMP OR LEAP FROM A TRAMPOLINE OR SIMILAR DEVISE *WHEN A DANCER IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM AS AN AERIALIST WITH HARNESS *QUESTIONABLE SURFACES SUCH AS VISQUEEN, SAND, ROCK, CARPET, AND MARLY *WHEN A DANCER IS REQUIRED TO WEAR GEAR NOT DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR PEDESTRIAN OR DANCE USE (SCUBA FINS, SKIS/SKI BOOTS, WATER FOOTWEAR, ETC) *WHEN A DANCER IS REQUIRED TO USE OR BE IN THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SPECIAL EFFECTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO WEAPONS, FIRE OR PYROTECHNIC DEVICES *WHEN A DANCER'S SUPPORT IS DEPENDENT UPON ANY MECHANICAL DEVICES, PROPS OR SETS THAT ARE NOT SECURE
HAZARD RATES PER CONTRACT:
FOR NON-UNION WORK, HAZARD RATE EQUAL TO 25% OF MINIMUM DAILY RATE (For example, on a 12-hour Music Video shoot, it is $137.50)
FOR EXTRA PERFORMER UNDER SAG TV CONTRACT, THERE IS NO HAZARD PAY. THERE IS A COMPENSATION OF $14.OO FOR WET WORK, WHICH PERFORMER MAY REFUSE TO DO. ALSO $14.00 FOR SMOKE WORK (SEE SAG CONTRACTS FOR SPECIFICS)Contact SAG and AFTRA for their hazard rates: SAG (323)549-6864, AFTRA (323)634-8180
***PLEASE REMEMBER WHAT HAZARD PAY IS DESIGNED FOR***: HAZARD PAY IS ONE OF, IF NOT THE, MOST ABUSED PROTECTIONS IN BOTH UNION AND NON-UNION CONTRACTS. IF A PRODUCER ENGAGES A PERFORMER IN LEGITIMATE HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY, THEY PAY THAT MINIMAL FEE IN ORDER TO REQUIRE THE PERFORMER TO PERFORM SUCH ACTIVITY. HAZARD PAY IN NO WAY EXCUSES A PERFORMER FROM SUCH WORK. IF YOU FEEL THAT THE WORK YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO DO IS A THREAT TO YOUR PHYSICAL WELL-BEING OR TO THE FUTURE OF YOUR PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, PURSUE THIS FEE OR REMEMBER THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO ENGAGE IN SUCH ACTION IF YOU FEEL IT IS HAZARDOUS. IF NOT, HAZARD PAY IS NOT ANOTHER WAY OF MAKING A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS. THIS MENTALITY IS DOING IRREVERSABLE DAMAGE TO THE REPUTATION OF DANCERS ON SETS. PLEASE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR WHEN YOU ASK FOR HAZARD PAY. LOSING A JOB OR FUTURE WORK IS PROBABLY NOT WORTH THE FEE. BE LEGITIMATE IN YOUR CLAIM. REALIZE, IF THE PRODUCER PAYS FOR YOU TO DO IT, THEY EXPECT TO SEE IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
DON'T FORGET STUNT WORK
IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO KNOW ALL ASPECTS OF A UNION CONTRACT, BUT ONE ESPECIALLY IS THE STUNT WORK SECTION. SOME OF THE WORK THAT DANCERS PURSUE AS HAZARD MAY, IN FACT, BE STUNT WORK. THIS WORK IS PRINCIPAL AND IS USUALLY ABOVE SCALE. EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THESE GUIDELINES.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO:
1. SAG/AFTRA dues can be put on hold! If you are SAG or AFTRA and you anticipate a long time frame in which you will not be doing a SAG or AFTRA job (for example, if you are going on a pop tour for a year), you can call the offices and put your membership on hold. Instead of wasting your money paying dues when your are not working for the unions, you can be excused from paying by "freezing" your membership. This also saves you from negligently not paying your dues, in which case you would lose your membership and have to start the admission process from the beginning (including the hefty initiation fee!).2. Non-union projects are not completely off limits to union members. If you are SAG/AFTRA and you hear about an upcoming project that is non-union that you would like to audition for, call the unions for the following reasons: 1) There is a possibility that the production company has a special agreement with the unions, in which case the unions will tell you that you can still audition for the project. 2) The unions can attempt to convert the project into union status. Non-union projects have become union in the past, but the only way that can happen is if you tell the unions about the project in the first place!
